Free-agent center Andre Drummond created a stir on social media this week with messages that raised skepticism on whether he might return to the Los Angeles Lakers next season.

First, he seemingly took a shot at Lakers head coach Frank Vogel over playing time.

That comment (I think?) prompted Skip Bayless to sarcastically label him “Kareem Abdul-Drummond“, which Drummond immediately turned into merch.

He then responded to actor and Lakers fanatic O'Shea Jackson Jr.'s challenge to live up to the “comparison” to the legendary Lakers center, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Drummond also used his trolling momentum to share his bold NBA Finals prediction:

 

On Thursday, Drummond confirmed what we suspected all along — or, at least since he sent this tweet out on Tuesday: it was all for show.

According to Drummond, he was simply trying to gin up buzz ahead of his upcoming NFT (non-fungible token).

“It wasn’t an issue to begin with,” Drummond said on ESPN's The Jump. “I used that to … I’m actually launching an NFT on Friday, so that was just to get everyone’s attention…very strategic, I just did what I needed to. I got the attention and now I’m talking to you guys so I can talk about it more.”

Touche, Drum.

Whether or not Drummond truly meant nothing or is retroactively framing his criticism of Vogel as a promotional gimmick, his actions probably won't endear him to the organization (nor Lakers fans) ahead of free agency. The Lakers have multiple free agents to retain and minimal cap space to work with.

On the other hand, the Lakers brass may think higher of Drummond than #LakersTwitter, considering they guaranteed him a starting gig in the middle of a season with championship aspirations. Los Angeles general manager Rob Pelinka — who, along with Vogel, praised Drummond at exit interviews — is the center's former agent.

Drummond — in part due to rust, fit, and team-wide health issues — struggled to gel with Los Angeles. The two-time All-Star averaged 11.9 points and 10.2 rebounds in 24.8 minutes per game in 21 regular-season starts, but struggled on defense, clogged the lane, and failed to raise his value (or standing with the fanbase) in the playoffs. He received a DNP in the final game of the season, Game 6 vs. the Phoenix Suns. He did not seem thrilled about it.

On The Jump, Drummond spoke positively, if not exuberantly, of his time with the Lakers.

“I enjoyed myself,” he said. “I think my time and experience in L.A. has been really good. I think I’ve learned a lot being with those guys, LeBron James and Anthony Davis … Just looking forward to what’s next.”

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Drummond was then asked who he considers the best big man in the league. He named Lakers star Anthony Davis third, after Denver Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokic (whom he put No. 1), and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.

At his exit interview, Drummond expressed a desire to remain in Los Angeles but promptly back-tracked when asked if he knew was he returning.

Ironically, Drummond's NFT, called “The Showtime NFT” is unmistakably Lakers-themed. It features an interactive fan experience in which the buyer can design sneakers for Drummond to wear in a game and will be flown in for that game.

However, if Drummond is unwilling to take a modest contract, the buyer of the “Showtime” experience may be flown somewhere other than Los Angeles. (I'm not sure how that affects the value of the NFT.)

For now, “LAKERS” remains in The Big Penguin's bio. We'll monitor that situation.